Favs of 2007... and Gift (of sorts)

Well, it's almost the end of the year and the upcoming shows list is pretty bare. It's time again to make a list of the best shows of 2007. The 2006 list if you are curious http://firmdragon.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html Pretty good year in terms of music, maybe even better than 2006. But I digress...

Albums
Wintersleep - Welcome to the Night Sky
Tegan and Sara - The Con
Bison - Earthbound
Between the Buried and Me - Colors
Stars - In Our Bedrooms After the War
The Shins - Wincing thte Night Away
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Dilliger Escape Plan - Ire Works


Shows
Wintersleep - 11/03/07 @ Richards on Richards
After years of relentless touring and the release of their most solid album yet, Wintersleep played what would amount to their coming out party to a sold out Richards on Richards. Playing for well over 90 minutes and in front of a rabid Vancouver crowd, they cememted themselves as Canada's priemere rock band.

The Shins - 02.19.07 @ Commodore Ballroom
They hold up to their hype, even after 3 years.

The Roots - 02.02.07 @ Commodore Ballroom
Near 3 hour shows are the norm for them. Crazy jams and live instrumentation make this legendary Philly
crew the only must see Hip Hop show this year. (Well for me anyways)

Silversun Pickups - 04.12.07 @ Richards on Richards
Another sold out Richards show. Drawing from their infectious single "Lazy Eye" and debut album "Caravan", The Silversun Pickups blew through pretty much their entire catalogue of material. Pretty good for a band with just one album and an EP.

Mew - 04.03.07 @ Richards on Richards
Something I really wasn't expecting from Mew was how much they sounded like an arena band. Even their drum sound had that sound that just fills the room. I was also pleasently relieved that singer Jonas Bjerre could reproduce his vocals in a live setting.

Secret Chiefs 3 - 05.31.07 @ Plaza Club
Although I was pretty much on the fence about going to this one, I decided to go on reputation alone. I was glad I did. Playing for almost 2 hours, I really couldn't get enough. Combining intricate melodies and an array of different instruments, the result really was quite captivating

Explosions in the Sky - 05/05/07 @ Croatian Cultural Centre
After 2 previous attempts to play a show in Vancouver, Explosions in the Sky finally get the job done. Despite playing to an oversized room, EITS made it seem as intimate as a house party. Although they sitll don't play any encores, 70 minutes was more than enough to satisfy my EITS fix.

Stu Hamm Clinic - 10.15.07 @ North Delta Firehall Centre for Arts
There are a lot of people who believe that the bass guitar is a secondary if not lesser instrument. Those who had the pleasure of attending this know that this simply was not true. And those who truly appreciated something like this were floored.

Fake Shark Real Zombie - 09.07.07 @ Library Square
A not so classy band, playing at a classy venue = a messy floor at the end of the night. I feel sorry for anyone who has to play after them. I actually liked their halloween show better, but at this one I didn't know what to expect beforehand.


Honourable Mentions
Stars Secret Myspace show - 11.18.07 @ The Media Club
Despite the shortened set, it was pretty rare, bag o tunes and you know... secret and all


Just Missed the Mark (or shows that really disappointed me)
Deftones - 07.10-12.07 @ Commodore Ballroom
There are many reasons why theses shows should have been near the top of the list, but there are a couple of big reasons why they fell very far from the mark. First thing is 3 shows and no covers, no snippits and nothing really special. And don't forget the whole choose your own setlist debacle.

Final Fantasy / Great Lake Swimmers / Basia Bulat - 10.20.07 @ Richards on Richards
The show probably didn't disappoint that much, but the crowd was beyond awful. All three of bands on the bill aren't of the loud noisy rock variety, and yet there is incessant chattering from the audience. Even hearing the 2 song that I have not been able to get out of my head (GLS - Your Rocky Spine, BB - In the Night) could not save this show.

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Gift of sorts:
I'm thinking of torrenting something out by the end of the year. I have something in mind, but I would like to hear what any of the readers here (less than 10?) would suggest. I'll post it up on www.dimeadozen.org or www.thetradersden.org
Deadline near Christmas? Oh and if anyone has a waffles invite.....